Get Involved

Testimonials

Even a ten minute chat on the phone made me feel so much better. I was becoming frustrated and annoyed at not getting what I needed from services, but talking to my Advocacy Worker kept me grounded and stopped me from losing the rag with anyone.

SarahService User

I felt like I was facing a brick wall until I started receiving support and information from Ceartas. The outcome of that has led to a much better relationship with the rest of the family, and now we are all pulling in the same direction.

RichardCarer

Ceartas delivered Dementia Awareness Training, which helped our pharmacy staff to identify customers affected by dementia, and to accommodate their needs. As a result we can now offer them a standard of service that affords them the dignity and respect that they deserve.

A. H.Pharmacy Manager

It’s really nice to know that someone is listening to me and taking me seriously. Other people seem to think that my problems are trivial and aren’t worth bothering about, but that is not true. My Advocacy Worker helped me to make my point in such a way that I couldn’t be ignored, and now things are staring to improve as a result.

DavidService User

I didn’t know that there was anything I could do about my situation, let alone that I had options. I feel so much better knowing that I can turn to Ceartas for information when I need it.

JoanneService User

Volunteering with Ceartas has been extremely rewarding and has enabled me to gain experience, independence, confidence and learn a variety of new skills.

ClaireVolunteer

I was apprehensive about being involved with the Still Game group and did not know what to expect… Being with the group and seeing what they were achieving for themselves was great and helped me feel more comfortable.

RobertVolunteer

Having recently retired from midwifery and having more time at my disposal, I find it rewarding to be involved as a volunteer with Ceartas and to be a help in this area.

AnneVolunteer

The help of my Advocacy Worker is extremely valuable as she prepares me as well as supports me to get my point across.

HelenService User

The information, support and knowledge that Ceartas provided helped immensely.

PeterService User

My Advocacy Worker helped me to explore my options around my housing situation, and worked with me to speak to the appropriate people.

CatherineService User

On your own you are a voice in the wilderness, but when advocacy gets involved it makes a huge difference.

AnneService User

Having someone there who can help you make sense of things and ask the difficult questions really makes a difference.

GeorgeService User

My Advocacy Worker offered me a voice when I found it difficult to get my points across on my own.

JohnService User

The help of my Advocacy Worker is extremely valuable as she prepares me, as well as supports me to get my point across.

NicolaService User

Having an Advocacy Worker meant that she had someone ‘on her side’ at a time when significant decisions were being made about her life.

LyndseyAdvocacy Worker

Our service is free, impartial and you can refer yourself.

SharonService Manager

Ceartas Advocacy prides itself on being integrated at all levels in the local community: we work with service users, local groups and organisations, volunteers, health and social care professionals and statutory bodies.

We also involve former service users, volunteers, members of the organisation, and we are involved with partner organisations in a variety of activities, information and support services.

There are many different ways in which you can become involved with Ceartas Advocacy. If you want to find out more, you can contact us on 0141 775 0433, or email info@ceartas.org.uk.

User Involvement

Many people who have used Ceartas’ services feel that they want to give something back. We understand this and appreciate it, and through our user involvement activities we ensure that people who have used the service have an opportunity to feed back what works well, what could be improved, and what is missing from the service.

At the moment we have two user involvement groups: Still Game, which is made up of a broad spectrum of service users; and the Ceartas Dementia Voices, which focuses on the particular needs around dementia. As well as the serious aspects of user involvement, like helping us improve the service, there is a social aspect to our user involvement. We try to ensure that user involvement is fun and rewarding for our service users, as well as adding value to the service.

Volunteering

Ceartas utilises the skills and experience of a number of volunteers for a wide variety of tasks. We have volunteers assisting us with fundraising, marketing, administration, helping out at groups and events, and even the photographs used on this website were produced by a volunteer! We previously ran a training programme for Advocacy Volunteers, which may be repeated again in the future. If you are interested in volunteer opportunities with Ceartas, please email info@ceartas.org.uk, or call us on 0141 775 0433.

Membership

As well as being a Professional Independent Advocacy service, Ceartas is a membership organisation. Members receive regular updates on the organisation’s activities, and can vote at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting. We welcome membership applications from anyone who takes an interest in the work that Ceartas does in East Dunbartonshire. If you would like to become a member of Ceartas, please complete this form:

Your Full Name:

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Your Contact Telephone Number:

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How did you hear about Ceartas?

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Partnership Work

Ceartas works closely with several other local and national organisations to deliver different services in East Dunbartonshire:

Ceartas Advocacy is both a charity and an Independent Advocacy organisation. Along with a dedicated staff team and grassroots user involvement, the organisation requires strong governance in order to fulfil its Mission Statement and its Aims and Objectives. We need a strong, dynamic and resourceful Board of Directors to provide this oversight. Directors of Ceartas are unpaid volunteers, and they bring a wide range of skills and experience to the organisation. If you are interested in becoming a Director, you can register your interest by emailing info@ceartas.org.uk.

Ceartas is a charity, and we rely on donations and fundraising for all of our non-core activities. You can find out more about the work we do, and the impact it has on people’s lives, on the Giving to Ceartas page.